SEATTLE: Etihad Airways and Boeing celebrated the roll out of the airline’s first 787-9 Dreamliner at an event in Seattle, Washington overnight.
The aircraft featured Etihad Airways’ new ‘Facets of Abu Dhabi’ livery which was unveiled in Hamburg, Germany this week. James Hogan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways Aviation Group, said the airline was proud to be one of the world’s largest customers for the B787 Dreamliner.
“We have firm orders for more than 100 Boeing wide-body aircraft which include 41 787-9s and 30 787-10s. Our new fleet of B787s will set customer service expectations for the airline industry, delivering the highest levels of comfort and choice across all classes of service.”
Ray Conner, President and CEO, Boeing Commercial Airplanes said: “Etihad Airways is one of the most forward-thinking airlines of the world and we’re proud to have their trust and confidence in the Dreamliner.” Etihad Airways’ first Boeing 787-9 will be delivered in December 2014, and more than 40 international routes have been identified for future operation by the airline’s Dreamliners. The aircraft will initially operate between Abu Dhabi and Düsseldorf and between Abu Dhabi and Doha. Services to Brisbane, Mumbai, Moscow and Washington D.C. will follow in the first half of 2015.
Etihad Airways has also revamped its product offering on the B787 based on extensive consumer research, with refinements in all three cabins.
The new First Suite on the B787 will offer guests a private sanctuary with many new features, including a chilled mini-bar and 5-star cuisine prepared on board by world-class chefs. The new Business Studio offers larger seats, all of which have direct aisle access and convert to a fully flat, pneumatically adjustable bed. The Economy Smart Seat is an industry-first and provides unparalleled comfort for travellers with a new ‘fixed wing’ headrest, maximising comfort and enhancing the sleep experience. The B787 will also feature the latest Panasonic eX3 entertainment system, providing more than 750 hours of on-demand entertainment, improved gaming and high-definition screens in all cabins.The new ‘Facets of Abu Dhabi’ livery uses a color palette which reflects the varying hues of the landscape of the UAE, from the darker sands of the Liwa desert to the lighter colours seen in the Northern Emirates. The result of extensive research, the design will also be a key feature of the new cabin interiors being introduced on Etihad Airways’ Boeing 787 aircraft.